The R2 Builders Club

From left to right: Disneyworld’s R2-D2, R2-KT, and ILM’s R2-D2. by K. Stiles Howard “Adherents to the way and the Jedi Code closely follow an ancient code that guides their bout nine years ago, in this galaxy, in a continent far, far away from actions in the service of the North America, Australian Dave Everett began an Internet-based AStar Wars fan club, which he named the R2 Builders Club (R2BC). Republic. It reads, in part: Established for people interested in building 1:1-scale R2-D2s, the R2BC has evolved into an online community of more than 6,600 members worldwide There is no emotion; (http://movies.groups.yahoo.com/group/r2builders/). Once created, these R-series astromech droids do not merely sit around gathering dust. Quite there is peace. the contrary, they live very active lives, joining their humans in performing service projects that raise money for charitable organizations and educate There is no ignorance; children about science, computer technology, engineering, and robotics. there is knowledge. “It is from the ranks of the Jedi Masters that the High Council is chosen ...”1 There is no passion; Committed to creating a community of R2-D2 Builders, as well as there is serenity. NOTE There is no death; , R2-D2, R2-R9, the Jedi Order, and the Jedi Code are registered trademarks of Ltd. R2-KT is a fan-built project and not authorized by Lucasfilm as a recognized 1 character. Star Wars, its characters, creations, and all associated items are the intellectual property there is .” of Lucasfilm. (c)2006 Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved.

42 SERVO 05.2008 ... and the Jedi Code fostering the construction of high-quality replica robots, founder Everett was determined that the club put measures in place to ensure parts compatibility and also safeguard against profiteering. This prompted a brilliant and inspired move: the assemblage of a Builders Council. This five-person council approves each and every one of the club’s parts suppliers. These suppliers — who are also members of the group — work from R2BC’s “official blueprints” and offer all their robot parts at cost. “It is not a venture to be undertaken lightly. As such, Jedi instruction is rigidly structured and codified to enforce discipline and hinder transgression.”1

The official blueprints for building R-series astromech replicas were developed by early members of the A father and daughter meet R2-KT. R2BC. This research and design phase lasted a couple of years. Everett recruited a small group of Builders to assist R2-KT in all her glory. him in this endeavor. They collected measurements from Star Wars exhibits and dimensions from actual droids. These Builders then used this information to draft blueprints and perform test builds. They created their initial R2-D2 replicas by hand and adjusted the blueprints as needed. This process enabled them to make sure all the pieces fit together. The accuracy of the resulting blueprints provided the group with standardized plans, which ensures the uniformity of the robot parts made by Builders, as well as parts suppliers. So, if an R2 Builder in Paris, TX bought a pair of aluminum outer ankle brackets from an approved supplier in Paris, France, those French brackets would be compatible with that Texan’s other aluminum robot parts. (To read more about how the R2BC official blueprints benefited a German fellow who was creating an R2 on his own, visit www.r2-d2.de/index5.htm/.) When enough R2BC members post to the group expressing interest in a particular robot part, an approved supplier will offer a “parts run.” First, the supplier collects payment from all interested parties. Then, the supplier pays a shop (for example, a machine shop) to make the part that has been requested. The supplier also submits contact information for the chosen shop and that run’s buyers to the Builders Council. Longtime R2BC member Craig Smith explains: “The R2BC does not offer complete R2-D2s for sale. Group parts that are available from time to time are made by Builders for Builders as a hobby. The parts are not mass produced for profit, and no kits are available.” Once a particular batch of parts is created, the supplier ships those parts to the Builders who ordered them. The duration of a parts run can vary from weeks to months — even years, in some cases. Soon after the shipments are made, cheers of glee are emitted around the globe as Builders collect their newly crafted parts from their porches. At approximately the same time (particularly if the shipped parts are aluminum), UPS and Fed-Ex carriers the world over SERVO 05.2008 43 The R2 Builders Club ... can be heard grumbling about lower back pain. memories. A project such as this is a huge commitment!” I spoke with Jerry Greene by phone one recent “As the Jedi mature, the apprentice Saturday afternoon. The first droid he built was a replica of R2-R9, which is red and silver. According to JAG’s website is paired with a master to continue (www.r2-r9.com/), R2-R9 made a brief appearance in the next phase of the training.” Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. While “serving aboard Queen Amidala’s Royal Starship as a repair droid, he So, how does the R2 Builders Club online community was shot off the hull during a repair.” It took Jerry three work? When Builders have difficulties — say, locating a part, years to build his first droid. I asked him about the average figuring out the blueprints, deciding which foot motor to time and financial investment involved in building an all- use, or simply wondering where to begin — they post to aluminum R2-D2. He responded, “About two years and the group, and they get answers. Of the group’s 6,600+ around $9,000 — about the cost of a nice, mid-sized car.” members, only 100 or so actively post to the group. Needless to say, if you’re going to spend that much time Longtime members delight in coaching new members and that much money building a droid, it doesn’t hurt to on the process of building these replica robots. Master have a healthy sense of humor. astromech Builder Jerry “JAG” Greene enjoys helping out However, it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg to fellow club members. One of the first dozen members of build — well, an arm and a leg. Astromech droids can be the group, founder Dave Everett recruited JAG to assist him built using any sort of material imaginable. Whatever medium in creating the official R2BC blueprints. Needless to say, one can afford, has available, and feels comfortable using Jerry has a wealth of knowledge and experience in all R2 can be fashioned into a lovable R2-D2. Many R2 Builders related topics. JAG’s advice to new R2 Builders is “Have pride themselves in building on the cheap. The club has even fun. Don’t stress out about it. The R2BC includes design offered workshops on “Droid Building on a Budget.” Here’s engineers, helicopter pilots, and machinists. If you don’t what longtime R2 Builders Club member Craig Smith has to know how to do something, someone in the group will.” say on the range of astromech-building media that he’s seen used: “The most impressive droids I’ve seen are almost 100% “To become a Jedi requires the home built. For the body, I’ve seen skins on frames in both aluminum and plastic — even wood. Rolled aluminum cylinder, deepest commitment and most fiberglass and, of course, 18” PVC pipe have been used. The serious mind.” method of building a droid directly reflects what materials a Builder is comfortable working with.” R2-D2 may be diminutive in size (with a height of 0.96 As for what an astromech droid can do, that is a matter meters or 3’2”), but building a 1:1 scale replica of its only its Builder can decide. According to the R2 Builders likeness is no small feat. It Club brochure, some people requires an enormous time start out by making a static commitment, some disposable droid to display at home or at income, meticulous research, R2 built from scratch or built work. After building one droid and tireless dedication. It also and gaining some confidence, helps to have supportive from club parts is not a quick a Builder might get more family and friends. Another adventurous. Some club necessary component is the project. It will take months to members create remote realization that this enterprise complete a static, non-moving control droids that emit cannot be done alone. Each sounds and have blinking member of the R2BC needs display — even years for a lights. An experienced R2 this group — its standardized Builder like Smith can create blueprints, its expertise, its motorized version ...” a droid that can do very parts runs, its camaraderie — impressive tricks indeed. to see this task to completion. “I have three astromechs Craig Smith advises that are R/C and do the prospective members about the amount of time it takes to show-stopping 2-3-2 leg transformation. Lucasfilm had one create a droid: “R2 built from scratch“ or built from club filming unit that could go into the three-leg mode via an air parts is not a quick project. It will take months to complete piston with locks at the end of the function, but it could not a static, non-moving display — even years for a motorized go back into the two-leg position. My systems use electric version. When I look at the parts on my droid, I recall the motors that are geared down to provide much-needed week it took to make the shoulders, the days it took to torque to control the transitions. Limit switches at the ends make the ankle covers, the days it took to re-make the of the functions stop the transitions where they need to. ankles themselves because I did not offset them correctly. My design has improved from one droid to the next. So, And there are dozens more parts on the droid with similar naturally, I left my latest droid without coverings so people 44 SERVO 05.2008 ... and the Jedi Code can see how the final design works.” and Los Angeles areas to request that their astromech As for how to power an R/C astromech, apparently, droids make appearances at movie premieres. For a Star there is some very fancy footwork involved. Smith offers the Wars fan and R2 replica builder, attending a premiere at following recommendations: “I cannot say enough good the behest of Lucasfilm must be a dream come true. A red things about the Robot Power Scorpion XL dual-speed carpet event must prove a most exciting venue in which to controller for the foot drives. This little $120 unit learns your show off an astromech droid that was years in the making. radio, shuts down in signal loss, has dual or single-stick Greene also commented that Don Bies, a Modelmaker control, direct output throttle, or sweep exponential control and R2-D2 Operator for Industrial Light and Magic (ILM) (and has a) battery eliminator that powers the receiver. I who has worked on several Star Wars movies, is a member have not heard of one fried controller in the field as of yet.” of the R2 Builders Club (see www.donbies.com/bio.htm). “For foot motors, many (R2 Builders) were using When Bies needed a spun aluminum, laser-cut, R2 dome to surplus motors and finding ways to adapt them to a good use in Star Wars Episode III: The Revenge of the , he gear ratio wheeled drive. But since the electric scooters knew who to call: Master R2-Dome Creator and fellow have become popular, one can afford to buy a pair of R2BC member Ron Barkley. Ron’s dome appears in a scene scooters and hack/modify the frame to fit in the foot. in which an R2 unit’s dome is ripped off of a ship. No Scooter parts are also now hitting the surplus and matter how brief the scene, I have little doubt that R2 aftermarket parts suppliers. One can get a pre-fab drive Builders the world over are immensely proud of it. system that goes much faster for way cheaper today than the options we had just a few years ago.” The Jedi are “a noble order of Members of the R2 Builders Club enjoy meeting other protectors unified by their belief Builders in person, and there are many opportunities for 2 them to do so. There are regional groups, such as the and observance of the Force.” New England (NE) Builders (www.r2-r9.com/Gallery_ R2-MA.html) and the Midwest Builders (http://stevesr2. To say that Albin Johnson is an active member of the blogspot.com/2007/08/so-this-saturday-was-annual- Star Wars community would be a vast understatement. mid-west-r2.html), who gather from time to time. Albin is the founder of Vader’s Fist: (The Regional R2 Builders groups may meet up at one area World’s Definitive Imperial Costuming Organization). His Builder’s shop to make parts or just spend time together. 501st Legion not only entertains Star Wars fans during their The NE Builders get together every six months or so. appearances, this group works year-round to raise money for Someone will have a barbecue and the Builders will charitable organizations worldwide. Albin is greatly admired stories and catch up with each other’s news. For larger and respected for his devotion to his family, as well as his gatherings of Builders, there are always comic book conventions and fan-based conferences (for example, Star Wars Celebrations (www.starwars.com/celebration/), San Diego Comic Con (www.comic-con.org/cci/), and Dragon Con (www.dragoncon.org/)). At such events, R2BC members exhibit their droids, lead panel discussions, and hold workshops. Celebration III featured 50 fan-built droids on display. even viewed the R2 replicas at that event, much to the delight of the Builders. Over the years, the R2 Builders Club has also developed a unique relationship with Lucasfilm Limited — George Lucas’ production company — and the creative force behind the Star Wars movies. When I asked Jerry Greene to characterize Lucasfilm’s relationship with R2BC, he said, “As long as we play nice, they leave us alone.” Well, apparently they do play nice, because Lucasfilm has called on an R2 Builder or two from time to time to ask a favor — and, on at least one occasion, to grant a favor. According to Wookiepedia, the Star Wars wiki (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page), the R2BC’s “official club logo was adopted by the Lucasfilm R2-D2 Unit for their crew gear during the filming of Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones in Australia.” Needless to say, the club’s members were thrilled at this nod to their work. Greene also informed me that Lucasfilm has contacted R2 Builders in the New York City R2BC droids on display at Celebration IV. SERVO 05.2008 45 The R2 Builders Club ... desire to make a positive impact in the world. And so it was permission to proceed. Shortly thereafter, Jerry began devastating to all who know Alvin and his family when they creating sketches of R2-KT and posting requests to the learned that his six-year-old daughter Katie had a brain tumor. group to donate the parts he would need to build this A bright and shining star to all who knew her, Katie’s one-of-a-kind, pink astromech droid. The response was friends and family were deeply saddened by this news. overwhelming. While the group set about building an While attending a church service with his family shortly all-aluminum R2-KT, R2BC member Andy Schwartz did after his daughter’s diagnosis, Albin had a lightbulb moment. something quite extraordinary, as well. He disassembled According to the R2-KT website (www.r2kt.com/): “Albin his own R2-D2, painted all of the blue sections pink, put it noticed something funny about the sanctuary’s windows. back together again, and arranged for this original R2-KT to Call it a sign, call it Al not paying attention in church, but be delivered to the Johnsons’ home. This act of generosity the window looked eerily like an R2 unit and it gave him an allowed Katie to have her very own pink astromech droid idea: Why not build an R2 to watch over Katie as she slept to keep her company and lift her spirits. (just like R2-D2 watched over Padme in Episode II)? Katie’s After a brave fight, Katie Johnson passed away on older sister Allie went one step further: Why not paint it August 9, 2005. Her family, her friends, and the Star Wars pink and name it after Katie: R2-KT? An idea was born ...” community mourned her loss. In April of 2005, Albin discovered the R2 Builders Club. The R2 Builders Club decided to continue building Upon hearing of Albin’s intentions to build his courageous R2-KT as a memorial to this wonderful girl. It was an and wonderful daughter a pink R2-D2, the group was eager emotional process for everyone involved. Eager to express to help him realize this goal. Given that an R2 Builder’s first their compassion for this family, dozens of R2 Builders from droid can take years to complete, it was clear to the group around the globe donated astromech parts to the R2-KT that something unprecedented would need to occur in project. Over the next year, box after box of donated parts order for R2-KT to take shape. arrived at Greene’s Rhode Island home, where he worked Greene suggested that the R2 Builders Club build an all- tirelessly in his basement studio to assemble this unique aluminum R2-KT and donate it to the Johnson family. Greene droid. (Visit JAG’s “Project R2-KT” website at www.r2- offered to orchestrate this group build and assemble the r9.com/Project%20R2-KT.html to read a chronology of the droid himself. Albin graciously and humbly gave the club build and see images of all this robot’s parts.) By July 2006, R2-KT was complete. Greene and the R2 Builders Club constructed this adorable, circus pink and white astromech droid in record time, taking little more than one year from start to finish. Once the robot was complete, Greene and his girlfriend, Lisa, loaded R2-KT in their minivan and took it on its first adventure. Jerry and Lisa drove

The R2 Builders

Club decided to

continue building

R2-KT as a “memorial to this More R2BC droids on wonderful girl.” display at Celebration IV.

46 SERVO 05.2008 ... and the Jedi Code seven hours from Rhode Island to the annual Shoreleave Competition. She proved vastly entertaining to the children Star Trek convention in Hunt Valley, MD. The reason for this in attendance, and she also (with Albin’s help, no doubt) journey: to deliver R2-KT to the Johnson family. offered instruction on robotics. “For his courage, Artoo was Schwartz and other members of the R2 Builders Club personally thanked and recognized by Queen Amidala.”3 joined Jerry and Lisa at the convention, where they met In early 2007, the toy company contacted Albin, his wife Kathy, and their daughters Allie and Emily. Albin. Hasbro and Lucasfilm had heard of R2-KT, and they On behalf of the R2 Builders Club, R2-KT was presented to were partnering to create a limited edition action figure in the Johnson family as a gift. Albeit an emotional meeting, it her likeness. Lucasfilm invited the Johnson family and R2-KT was also a beautiful, loving celebration of young Katie’s life. to attend the Celebration IV Star Wars convention in Los And that was only the beginning of R2-KT’s adventures. Angeles, CA. Hasbro and Lucasfilm’s official announcement Like her fellow R-series replica robots and the members of the of the R2-KT action figure occurred on May 25, 2007, the 501st Legion, this little droid has a mission. Not only that — 30th anniversary of the theatrical release of Star Wars. she has a mission statement. According to the R2-KT website Available exclusively at the 2007 San Diego Comic Con, (www.r2kt.com/): “R2-KT’s mission is to entertain children, hasbrotoyshop.com, and starwarsonline, all proceeds raise awareness of pediatric cancer, and raise money for from R2-KT sales were donated to the Make-A-Wish such charities as Make-A-Wish and Children’s Cancer Fund.” Foundations of San Diego and South Carolina. The In November 2006, R2-KT participated in her first toy drive. projected benefits exceeded $100,000. Appearing alongside the 501st Legion and the United States Since the R2-KT project, the R2 Builders Club continues Marine Corps at a Toys-for-Tots drive at a Toys R Us store in building accurate replicas of R-series robots. And even Columbia, SC, R2-KT was a huge hit. In February 2007, though engineering and computer technology are major R2-KT brightened the day for patients and staff at Palmetto components of these models, these creations are also Richland Children’s Hospital, where Katie Johnson received gorgeous works of art. Although, technically, they are treatment. And it seems that this lovable droid is not only reproductions of robot models made for a series of cute, she’s smart, too. In March of that year, R2-KT went to blockbuster movies, they represent much more than that. college. She accompanied the Johnson clan at Albin’s alma These R2s represent the joys and complexities of childhood. mater for the University of South Carolina’s FIRST Robotics They celebrate the seemingly limitless expanse of the

R2BC droids line up to be admired at Celebration IV.

SERVO 05.2008 47 The R2 Builders Club ...

excellence. The excellent craftsmanship of the R2 Builders Resources Club’s robot replicas, the group’s success in thwarting http://movies.groups.yahoo.com/group/r2builders/ profiteering, as well as its contributions to educational http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/R2_Builders_Club outreach programs and charitable organizations may have played a role in opening the door to a mutually respectful www.r2-r9.com relationship with Lucasfilm. We’ll never know for certain. www.r2kt.com When founder Everett established the Builders Council, he www.carolina501st.com/content had no way of knowing that he was setting the stage for a project in which dozens of builders from around the planet R2BCBrochure.pdf would donate robot parts to create a unique astromech www.astromech.net droid to honor one very special girl. www.starwars.com/databank/updates/news20010613.html “During the restructuring of the Jedi Order by the www.starwars.com/databank/organization/thejediorder now Jedi Grand Master , a new code was established for easier interpretation for the newer www.starwars.com/databank/droid/r2d2 generation of Jedi. The code retained the same core beliefs http://starwarsmovies.net/star-wars-news/the-jedi-code as the millennia old code, rewritten for better understanding. http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/R2-KT Jedi are the guardians of peace in the galaxy. http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/501st_Legion_%28 organization%29 Jedi use their powers to defend and protect, never to R-Series, Issues 1, 2, and 3 — edited by Cory Pacione attack others. and Dan Baker Jedi respect all life, in any form. human imagination. And these adorable little astromech droids offer us a glimpse into what is possible when human Jedi serve others rather than ruling over them, for the good beings work diligently, share knowledge, and strive for of the galaxy.

Jedi seek to improve themselves through knowledge and training.”4

At a recent educational outreach event, Jerry Greene had the honor of introducing his R2-R9 to a blind Star Wars fan. Having often wondered what an R2 unit looked like, this 12-year-old boy was overjoyed to be in the presence of an astromech droid, be allowed to explore its entire surface, and be able to experience all of its tactile qualities. For Greene, having an opportunity such as this — to quietly observe as a fellow human being embraces the opportunity to experience his world in an entirely new way — all the time, research, money, and effort invested in building an R2 unit just melts away into space. To read a profile of an R2BC member who is crafting an all-aluminum astromech droid and see images of hand-milled robot parts this Builder has created, check out Vern Graner’s “Personal Robotics” column in the May issue of Nuts & Volts Magazine. SV

REFERENCES [1] www.starwars.com/databank/updates/news20010613.html [2] www.starwars.com/databank/organization/thejediorder/ [3] www.starwars.com/databank/droid/r2d2/ [4] http://starwarsmovies.net/star-wars-news/the-jedi-code/ Acknowledgements I would like to thank Vern Graner, Jeff Green, Craig Smith, and Chris Simonds for their inspiration and guidance; Guy Vardaman, Bob, and all the R2 Builders who supplied me with images; James Delaney and Jennifer for help with graphics; Anna and Lici for their encouragement.

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